Credit: Red Macias
local//lleol
an interview with
Harriet Taylor process was a bit surreal really! They
had audition days all around the UK
but I was contacted by a member of
the casting team who remembered
me from BBC’s Pitch Battle, to attend
an audition in Cardiff. I guess in a
way, Pitch Battle was the first round
of auditions but everyone involved
By Huw Bates in the show, whether a contestant or
a judge, had to go through the same
audition procedure. I was the second
person to be seen on my day, so I was
lucky to get it over with quite quickly
In 2010 a fresh-faced Penarth show I’m in and sometimes even really and with minimal waiting around
student arrived in Aberystwyth an ‘Elsa’ appearance thrown in of a - as I was leaving there were queues
to start her degree at Prifysgol weekend but I’ve been lucky enough of hundreds at the venue! It included
Aberystwyth University. Six years to take part in a few bigger projects 3 songs, a chat with the producers
later she moved back to Cardiff over the last couple of years which and vocal coach plus a chat with
having established herself as one has been incredible. a few researchers. On the day of
of Aber’s most recognisable and auditioning I didn’t know if it was to be
popular performers, most notably And I think it’s fair to say that a contestant or judge - obviously my
through her time with Elinor you’ve got very strong links to chat was better than my singing!
Powell’s Sgarmes (during which Aberystwyth? Yes - very fair! I
they reached the live final of BBC’s came to Aberystwyth in 2010 to Tell me more about your Pitch
Pitch Battle) and the Aberystwyth study Drama and Theatre Studies Battle experience. Being a
Wardens. She is currently pursuing at the University. Fast forward six contestant on a show is certainly a
a career in TV and will shortly be on years to January 2016 when I left to totally different experience to being
our screens every Saturday night go back home to Cardiff with a first a judge! Everything in Pitch Battle
as one of the judges on primetime class degree, thirteen shows, four was a complete novelty - I had never
TV show All Together Now. Huw professional acting credits, a godson, done anything like it before. From
caught up with her during a trip a boyfriend, a career and life-long costume, to make up, to green screen
back to watch this year’s Wardens friends to my name. I’ve got a lot to filming - it was all surreal. We were
production of Aladdin to find out thank Aberystwyth for - it’s like a working with literally the best in the
more about her and her hopes and second home. business and it was hard to believe
dreams for the future. it was real sometimes – a real red
“Harriet Taylor - TV Star” – that’s letter day experience! It definitely
got a nice ring to it hasn’t it?! Haha! helped prepare me for All Together
So Harriet, tell me a bit about I wouldn’t go that far! As I said, I’ve Now in terms of the scale of the whole
yourself. Well where do I start?! I’m ‘dabbled’ but I’m definitely not TV star production and the hours you work!
a singing, acting Disney princess who status! Jeeze Louise, not much can prepare
teaches musical theatre, dabbles in a you for fifteen hour days in camera-
bit of TV and weekdays I find qualified Well you’re very modest but two ready make up and heels, but Pitch
accountants jobs - I think that pretty primetime TV shows in 18 months Battle was a good warm-up.
much sums it up - I definitely like to - that’s pretty good going and I
keep myself busy! Aside from the day imagine the selection process During the two shows you’ve
job, I try to keep the rest of my time for All Together Now was pretty worked with some very talented and
focused on being creative as much as rigorous? Well thank you and don’t famous people. Can you remind us
possible. On a weekly basis it’s things get me wrong, I am very proud of of a few names and by whom have
like choir, rehearsals for whatever the last 18 months. The selection you been most starstruck? Are
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